Program, information processing device, and control method

ABSTRACT

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to operate a game program. The program may cause an information processing device to execute a step of storing information relating to a game part, a step of displaying a screen including a first interface capable of detecting a first user operation, a determination step of (if the first user operation is detected) determining a mode of the game part to be one of a first mode or a second mode, a change step of changing a part of the screen according to the mode of the game part determined in the determination step, and an execution step of executing the game part in the mode determined in the determination step.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/864,289, entitled “PROGRAM, INFORMATIONPROCESSING DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD,” filed on May 1, 2020, whichclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/585,576, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,682,570, entitled “PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE,AND CONTROL METHOD” filed on May 3, 2017, which claims priority toJapanese Application No. 2016-095996 filed on May 12, 2016, the contentsof which are all incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a program, an information processingdevice, and a control method.

Background Art

Hitherto, a game which is executed by an information processing deviceis known. For example, Japanese Patent No. 5833789 discloses aconfiguration in which a user executes a game part, such as a quest or amini game by consuming points owned by the user in a game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a game of the related art, convenience may not necessarily be highfor a user. For example, there is a case where the user is unable tofreely play a game part according to the setting of the game part, forexample, a case where the points of the user are insufficient, or thelike. Accordingly, there is room for improvement regarding theconvenience of a game.

The invention has been accomplished in consideration of such asituation, and an object of the invention is to provide a program, aninformation processing device, and a control method capable of improvingthe convenience of a game.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there may be provided a programwhich causes an information processing device of a user to execute astep of storing information relating to a game part to be played by theuser, a step of displaying a screen including a first interface capableof detecting a first user operation, a determination step of, if thefirst user operation is detected, determining a mode of the game part toa first mode or a second mode, a change step of changing a part of thescreen according to the mode of the game part, and an execution step ofexecuting the game part in the mode determined in the determinationstep.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there may be provided aninformation processing device including a storage unit which storesinformation relating to a game part to be played by a user, a displayunit, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to displaya screen including a first interface capable of detecting a first useroperation on the display unit, if the first user operation is detected,execute determination processing for determining a mode of the game partto a first mode or a second mode, change a part of the screen accordingto the mode of the game part, and execute the game part in the modedetermined in the determination processing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, there may be provided acontrol method of a game which may be executed by an informationprocessing device of a user. The control method may include a step ofstoring information relating to a game part to be played by the user, astep of displaying a screen including a first interface capable ofdetecting a first user operation, a determination step of, if the firstuser operation is detected, determining a mode of the game part to afirst mode or a second mode, a step of changing a part of the screenaccording to the mode of the game part, and an execution step ofexecuting the game part in the mode determined in the determinationstep.

According to the program, the information processing device, and thecontrol method of the invention, the convenience of a game may beimproved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game system according to a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information relating to a user.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information relating to a first gamecontent.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing information relating to a game part.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a game part.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a supporter.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a preparation screen in a normal mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a preparation screen in a practice mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of a terminal device until thepreparation screen is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the terminal device afterthe preparation screen is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing information relating to a user according toa second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a preparation screen in a practice modeaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a preparation screen in a normal modeaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a competitionopponent.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a form of a screen for selecting a gamepart according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of the terminal device afterthe preparation screen according to the second embodiment is displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described.

First Embodiment

First, a game system including a server device and a terminal deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the invention will be described. Asshown in FIG. 1 , a game system 10 according to this embodiment includesa server device 11 and one or more terminal devices 12. In FIG. 1 , forsimplification, although only two terminal devices 12 are shown, anarbitrary number of terminal devices 12 may be provided.

The server device 11 is an information processing device, such as, forexample, a server which is managed by a game operator, and may provide agame (game data) to the terminal device 12 owned by the individual user.The terminal device 12 may be, for example, an information processingdevice, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PC, or a game device,and executes the game provided from the server device 11. In this way,the server device 11 and the terminal device 12 may cooperate to controlthe game provided to the user of the terminal device 12.

The outline of the game according to this embodiment will be described.The game according to this embodiment may be a game in which the usercan play a game part using a game content, for example.

The game content may be electronic data which is used in the game, andmay include, for example, an arbitrary medium, such as a card, an item,a ticket, a character, an avatar, or a virtual currency. The gamecontent may be electronic data which may be acquired, possessed, used,managed, exchanged, combined, augmented, sold, discarded, and/or giftedin the game by the user, though the forms of use of the game content arenot limited to those explicitly included in the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, unless particularly specified, “the game content owned bythe user” may indicate the game content associated with a user ID of theuser. “Giving the game content to the user” indicates associating thegame content with the user ID. “Discarding the game content owned by theuser” indicates cancelling the association of the user ID and the gamecontent. “Consuming the game content owned by the user” indicatescancelling the association of the user ID and the game content andcausing any effect or influence to be generated in the game. “Sellingthe game content owned by the user” indicates cancelling the associationof the user ID and the game content and associating a different gamecontent (for example, a virtual currency, an item, or the like) with theuser ID. “Assigning a game content owned by a user A to a user B”indicates cancelling the association of a user ID of the user A and thegame content and associating the game content with a user ID of the userB.

The game part may be a content which is playable by the user in thegame, and may include, for example, a quest, a mission, a mini game, anitem acquisition event, a dungeon search event, a competition event witha competition opponent (for example, a different user, an enemycharacter, a building of an enemy, or the like), or the like. Forexample, in a case where it is determined that predetermined conditions(for example, a game task) set for each game part are successfullyattained, a predetermined reward, for example, a game content, such asan item and a virtual currency, and points, such as an experience value,may be given to the user. For the game task, an arbitrary task accordingto the content of the game part, for example, a task for winning acompetition with an enemy character, a task for attaining a goal of adungeon, or the like is employable. In the following description, when aspecific task (complete task) among the game tasks set for the game partis attained, this is referred to as game part complete. In other words,if it is determined that the complete task in the game part issuccessfully attained, it may be determined to be game part complete andthe game part ends.

The game part according to this embodiment may be a game part for asingle person in which the user plays alone. Specifically, as describedbelow, the user which plays the game part performs a competition with,for example, an enemy character, such as a non-player character (NPC)using one or more first game contents (for example, a character) ownedby the user and a second game content (for example, a character) ownedby a different user.

The game part according to this embodiment may be, for example, ahorizontal scroll type action game. The user may operate a movingcharacter, such as a motorcycle, to acquire a predetermined item whileavoiding obstacles and the like. The first game content and the secondgame content may attack an enemy character according to the number ofacquired predetermined items. If the hit points (HP) of the enemycharacter are decreased to zero by an attack, the user wins thecompetition with the enemy character, and it is determined to be gamepart complete. If the total HP of the first game content and the secondgame content decreases to zero by an attack from the enemy character,the play of the game part may be brought into a state of being unable tobe continued (for example, a state of game over). The game part is notlimited to the above-described action game, and for example, a game ofan arbitrary genre, such as a puzzle game, a quiz game, a fighting game,or a simulation game constructing a virtual space, such as a street or agarden, is constructed, may be performed.

In the game according to this embodiment, a plurality of modes, whichmay be, for example, two modes including a “normal mode” and a “practicemode” such as are described below, may be provided for one game part.The user can determine a mode of the game part to the “normal mode” orthe “practice mode”. Then, for example, game part settings, such asconditions required for executing the game part, may be switchedaccording to the determined mode. With such a configuration, since theuser can play one game part in a plurality of different settings, theconvenience of the game is improved.

Next, each component of the game system 10 will be described.

Configuration of Server Device

First, the server device 11 will be described. The server device 11 mayinclude a server communication unit 13, a server storage unit 14, and aserver control unit 15.

The server communication unit 13 may be an interface which communicateswith an external device in a wireless or wired manner and performstransmission and reception of information. In this embodiment, theserver communication unit 13 can transmit and receive information withrespect to the terminal device 12, for example, through a network 16,such as the Internet.

The server storage unit 14 may include, for example, a primary storagedevice and a secondary storage device, and may store various kinds ofinformation and programs required for providing and controlling thegame. For example, the server storage unit 14 may store informationrelating to the user and information relating to the game part.

Information Relating to User

Information relating to the user may include arbitrary informationspecific to the user. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.2 , information relating to the user includes login information, a userexperience value, a user rank, stamina, and information relating to thegame content in association with the user ID.

The user ID is information capable of uniquely identifying the user.

The login information indicates the date and time (hereinafter, referredto as the last login date and time) when the user logs in to the gamesystem 10 last.

The user experience value may be a parameter which can increaseaccording to the play of the game. For example, the user experiencevalue may increase according to game part complete.

The user rank may be a parameter which increases according to the userexperience value. For example, if the user experience value reaches apredetermined upper limit value, the user experience value may decreaseto zero, and the user rank may be incremented. Accordingly, the userrank can indicate, for example, the degree of proficiency of the user atthe game.

The stamina may be a parameter which is consumed when the game part isexecuted. As described below, a parameter “stamina consumption” is setin each game part, and the game part is executed on a requirement thatthe stamina is consumed (decreased) by the stamina consumption. In acase where the stamina does not satisfy the stamina consumption, acontrol may be performed so that the execution of the game part isdisabled. The stamina may increase to a predetermined maximum value, forexample, over time or according to the use of a predetermined gamecontent. The maximum value of the stamina may be determined, forexample, according to the user rank; for example, the higher the userrank, the larger the maximum value of the stamina.

Information relating to the game content may include arbitraryinformation relating to the game content owned by the user in the game.For example, information relating to the game content may include thenumber of virtual currencies owned by the user in the game. Informationrelating to the game content may include information relating to a firstgame content (for example, a character) usable in the play of the gamepart.

In this embodiment, information relating to the first game content mayinclude, for example, a state, cost, an experience value, a level, HP,attack power, recovery power, and a skill in association with a firstgame content ID as shown in FIG. 3 .

The first game content ID is information capable of uniquely identifyingthe first game content.

The state of the game content may be information capable of identifyingthe first game content included in a game content group (hereinafter,referred to as a deck) among first game contents owned by the user. Thefirst game content included in the game content group may be used forthe execution of the game part.

In this embodiment, the state can take the form of one of severalpotential states, such as “leader”, “support, or “null”. The state“leader” may indicate a first game content which is included in the gamecontent group and in which a leader skill described below is validated.The state “support” may indicate a first game content which is includedin the game content group and in which the leader skill described belowis invalidated. The state “null” may indicate a first game content whichis not included in the game content group. In the game content group,one first game content which is “leader” and a predetermined number (forexample, four) of first game contents which are “support” may bepermitted.

The cost may be a parameter used for determination regarding whether ornot a first game content is capable of being added to the game contentgroup. Specifically, the addition of a first game content may bepermitted until the total value of the costs of the first game contentsincluded in the game content group reaches a predetermined upper limitvalue. The value of the cost may be defined according to information(for example, level) relating to the first game content or may be aconstant. The predetermined upper limit value may be defined accordingto information (for example, user rank) relating to the user or may be aconstant.

Alternatively, the cost may be a parameter which is used for executionof a predetermined command to the first game content. The predeterminedcommand may include, for example, an arbitrary command to the first gamecontent, such as a command which causes the first game content to beprovided (appear) on a game field, a command which causes the first gamecontent to attack a competition opponent, or a command which causes thefirst game content to active a command skill described below. In a casewhere there are a plurality of commands corresponding to one first gamecontent, the cost may be defined for each command. In a case where thevalue of the cost is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limitvalue, the command to the first game content may be executable. Thepredetermined upper limit value may be, for example, a predeterminedpoints value associated with the user. The points decrease by the costaccording to the execution of the command. The points may be increased(recovered), for example, over time, according to the use of apredetermined game content (for example, item), or according toactivation of a predetermined command skill.

The experience value may be a parameter which can increase according tothe play of the game. For example, the experience value may increaseaccording to game part complete.

The level may be a parameter which increases according to the experiencevalue. For example, if the experience value reaches a predeterminedupper limit value, the experience value decreases to zero, and the levelis incremented.

The hit points (HP) may be a parameter which is used for the executionof the game part. For example, if the total HP of the first game contentincluded in the game content group decreases to zero during theexecution of the game part, gameplay may be brought into a state ofbeing unable to be continued. The total HP may decrease by the amount ofdamage by an enemy character, for example.

The attack power may be a parameter which is used for the execution ofthe game part. For example, the larger the attack power, the larger theamount of damage given to the enemy character by the first game contentduring the execution of the game part becomes.

The recovery power may be a parameter which is used for the execution ofthe game part. For example, the larger the total recovery power of thefirst game contents included in the game content group, the larger theamount of recovery (amount of increase) when a predetermined event (forexample, acquisition of a recovery item) for recovering (increasing) thetotal HP is generated during the execution of the game part becomes.

The skill may be a function (ability) of a game content which generatesa predetermined effect during the execution of the game part. Forexample, the skill may include a leader skill which is exhibitedautomatically and a command skill which is exhibited according to a useroperation. The leader skill may generate an effect of increasing ordecreasing the parameter (for example, total attack power or the like)of the game content group. The command skill may generate, for example,an effect of causing damage to the enemy character. The effectsgenerated by the skills are not limited to those described above, andmay include various effects.

Information Relating to Game Part

Arbitrary information specific to the game part is included. In thisembodiment, information relating to the game part may include a mode andgame part setting in association with a game part ID as shown in FIG. 4.

The game part ID may be information capable of uniquely identifying thegame part.

The mode may be information indicating the mode of the game part. Inthis embodiment, there may be two modes of a “normal mode (first mode)”and a “practice mode (second mode)”. At least one mode of the normalmode or the practice mode may be provided for one game part. In thisembodiment, at least the normal mode maybe provided in the game part.For example, in FIG. 4 , the normal mode and the practice mode areprovided in a game part “gp001”. Only the normal mode is provided in agame part “gp002”. For example, there may be a game part for which onlythe practice mode is provided.

The game part setting may be provided for each mode and may includeinformation indicating various settings relating to the game part. Whenthe game part is executed, a game part setting corresponding to a modedetermined as described below may be used. In this embodiment, the gamepart setting may include stamina consumption, a time limit, rewardinformation, or information relating to the continuation of the play.

The stamina consumption may be a parameter which indicates the amount ofstamina required for the execution of the game part. As described above,the game part may be executed based on a requirement that the stamina ofthe user is consumed (subtracted) by the stamina consumption. The valueof the stamina consumption may be different according to the mode of thegame part. Preferably, the stamina consumption corresponding to thepractice mode may be smaller than the stamina consumption correspondingto the normal mode, and may be defined as, for example, zero. With sucha configuration, since a requirement for executing the game part in thepractice mode is relaxed compared to the normal mode, the convenience ofthe game is improved.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, the stamina consumption is defined to a value greater than zero.In the game part setting corresponding to the practice mode, the staminaconsumption is defined to zero. For example, in FIG. 4 , the staminaconsumption corresponding to the normal mode of the game part “gp001” is25 points, and the stamina consumption corresponding to the practicemode is 0 points.

The time limit may be used for comparison with an elapsed time from thestart of the game part during the play of the game part. For example, ifthe elapsed time reaches the time limit before the game part iscompleted, the play of the game part may be brought into a state ofbeing unable to be continued (for example, a state of game over). Insuch a case, if CONTINUE described below is executed, for example, theelapsed time may be reset and the game part can be continuously played.The time limit may be different according to the mode of the game part.Preferably, the time limit corresponding to the practice mode may belonger than the time limit corresponding to the normal mode, and may bedefined as, for example, unlimited. In such a configuration, since apossibility that the play of the game part in the practice mode isbrought into a state of being unable to be continued is reduced comparedto the normal mode, the convenience of the game is improved.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, the time limit may be defined as unlimited or to a predeterminedvalue. In the game part setting corresponding to the practice mode, thetime limit may be defined as unlimited. For example, in FIG. 4 , thetime limit corresponding to the normal mode of the game part “gp001” is10 minutes, and the time limit corresponding to the practice mode isunlimited.

The reward information may include arbitrary information relating to areward to be given to the user in a case where predetermined conditionsare attained in the game part. The predetermined conditions may include,for example, a condition that a game task set for the game part isattained, but may include an arbitrary condition relating to the gamepart. In this embodiment, the reward information may include, forexample, the type of reward, a quantity, and information indicating aprobability that a reward is given in a case where the predeterminedconditions are attained. The type of reward may include, for example, agame content, such as a character or a virtual currency, and points forincreasing a parameter, such as the user experience value or theexperience value of the first game content. The reward may be given bychanging (updating) corresponding information or a parameter ininformation relating to the user.

The reward information may be different according to the mode of thegame part. Preferably, the quantity of the reward or the probabilitycorresponding to the practice mode may be smaller than the quantity ofthe reward or the probability corresponding to the normal mode, and maybe defined to be, for example, zero. With such a configuration, forexample, as described above, in a case where the requirement forexecuting the game part in the practice mode is relaxed compared to thenormal mode, since the quantity of the reward or the probabilitydecreases in the practice mode, the game balance may be appropriatelyadjusted. In a case where the quantity of the reward or the probabilitycorresponding to the practice mode is defined to be zero, it is notnecessary to update information relating to the user according to theexecution of the game part in the practice mode. For this reason, forexample, the game part in the practice mode may be executable on theterminal device 12 alone without performing communication between theserver device 11 and the terminal device 12, and it is possible tosuppress a communication frequency and a communication amount.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, the reward information may be defined such that any reward may begiven. In the game part setting corresponding to the practice mode, thereward information may be defined such that no reward is given. Forexample, in FIG. 4 , the reward information corresponding to the normalmode of the game part “gp001” is “virtual currency.times.5, 10%”, andthis indicates that five virtual currencies are given with theprobability of 10%. The reward information corresponding to the practicemode is “null”, and this indicates that no reward is given.

Information relating to the continuation of the play may includearbitrary information which is used for processing (for example,processing for performing CONTINUE) for continuing the play to beexecuted in a case where the play of the game part is brought into astate of being unable to be continued (for example, a state of gameover) during the play of the game part. For example, when a conditionthat the total HP of the game content group decreases to zero during theplay of the game part, or the like is attained and the game is over, ina case where CONTINUE is executed, the total HP increases to, forexample, the maximum value, and the play of the game part can becontinued. When the game is over during the play of the game part, in acase where CONTINUE is not executed, game over is determined and thegame part ends.

In this embodiment, although information relating to the continuation ofthe play includes information indicating the possibility of CONTINUE ina case where the game is over, and information indicating a resource(for example, a game content, a virtual currency, or the like associatedwith the user) of the user consumed for performing CONTINUE, informationrelating to the continuation of the play may not be limited thereto. Forexample, information relating to the continuation of the play mayfurther include information indicating the limited number of times thatCONTINUE can be executed.

Information relating to the continuation of the play may be differentaccording to the mode of the game part. Preferably, information relatingto the continuation of the play corresponding to the practice mode isdefined such that CONTINUE is possible at the large number of times witha small number of resources (for example, with no resources) compared tothe normal mode. With such a configuration, since CONTINUE can be easilyexecuted in the practice mode compared to the normal mode, theconvenience of the game is improved.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, information relating to the continuation of the play may bedefined such that CONTINUE is impossible, or may be defined such thatCONTINUE is possible by consuming some resources. In the game partsetting corresponding to the practice mode, information relating to thecontinuation of the play may be defined such that CONTINUE is possiblewithout consuming any resources. For example, in FIG. 4 , informationrelating to the continuation of the play corresponding to the normalmode of the game part “gp001” indicates that CONTINUE is possible byconsuming five virtual currencies. Information relating to thecontinuation of the play corresponding to the practice mode of the gamepart “gp001” indicates that CONTINUE is possible without consuming anyresources. Information relating to the continuation of the playcorresponding to the normal mode of the game part “gp002” indicates thatCONTINUE is impossible.

Information relating to the game part is not limited to that describedabove. For example, information relating to the game part may furtherinclude arbitrary information required for the execution of the gamepart, such as image data which is displayed on the terminal device 12during the execution of the game part and information relating to theenemy character.

The server control unit 15 (see FIG. 1 ) may include a dedicated orgeneral-purpose processor. The server control unit 15 controls theoperation of the entire server device 11. For example, the servercontrol unit 15 performs transmission and reception of informationthrough the server communication unit 13. The server control unit 15 maystore information relating to the game part described above, informationrelating to a specific game content, and setting information of the gamepart in the server storage unit 14.

The server control unit 15 may perform various kinds of processingrelating to the game part. Hereinafter, specific description will beprovided.

The server control unit 15 may transmit information (see FIGS. 2 and 3 )relating to at least a part of a plurality of users to the terminaldevice 12. The server control unit 15 may transmit, to the terminaldevice 12, information relating to other users who satisfy a condition(specifically, a condition of being potentially selectable as asupporter, or a “selection possibility condition”) that an elapsed timefrom the last login date and time indicated in the login information tothe current time is less than a predetermined value among a plurality ofusers other than the user of the terminal device 12. Informationrelating to other users transmitted to the terminal device 12 is usedfor display processing of a screen for selecting a supporter, executionprocessing of a game part, or the like in the terminal device 12, forexample. The processing in the terminal device 12 will be describedbelow. In this embodiment, although transmission of information relatingto the user is performed, for example, when the user of the terminaldevice 12 logs in to the game system 10, transmission of informationrelating to the user may be performed at an arbitrary timing.

The server control unit 15 may transmit information (see FIG. 4 )relating to one or more game parts to the terminal device 12.Information relating to the game part transmitted to the terminal device12 is used for execution processing of the game part in the terminaldevice 12, for example. The processing in the terminal device 12 will bedescribed. In this embodiment, although transmission of informationrelating to the game part is performed, for example, when the user firstplays the game part, transmission of information relating to the gamepart may be performed at an arbitrary timing. Information relating tothe game part transmitted to the terminal device 12 is stored in theterminal device 12 as described below. For this reason, when the userplays the game part again, the server control unit 15 may omittransmission of information relating to the game part.

Configuration of Terminal Device

Next, the terminal device 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 , theterminal device 12 may include a terminal communication unit 17, aterminal storage unit 18, a display unit 19, an input unit 20, and aterminal control unit 21.

The terminal communication unit 17 may be an interface whichcommunicates with an external device in a wireless or wired manner andperforms transmission and reception of information. In this embodiment,the terminal communication unit 17 may perform transmission andreception of information with respect to the server device 11 throughthe network 16.

The terminal storage unit 18 may include, for example, a primary storagedevice and a secondary storage device, and stores various kinds ofinformation and programs required for processing of the game providedfrom the server device 11. For example, the terminal storage unit 18 maystore a dedicated application (hereinafter, referred to as a gameapplication) for executing the game. The game application may beacquired from a predetermined application distribution server throughthe network 16, for example. In a state where the game application isexecuted (started), the operation of the terminal device 12 relating tothe game is implemented.

The terminal storage unit 18 may store information relating to the userand information relating to the game part received from the serverdevice 11.

The terminal storage unit 18 may store a mode determined as describedbelow among a plurality of modes set for the game part. Specifically,the terminal storage unit 18 may store the normal mode or the practicemode as the determined mode. As described below, the game part may beexecuted using the game part setting corresponding to the determinedmode with priority. In this embodiment, although the modes stored in theterminal storage unit 18 are used in common to all game parts, the modesmay be stored for each game part.

The display unit 19 is, for example, a display device, such as a liquidcrystal display or an organic EL display, and can display variousscreens.

The input unit 20 is, for example, an input interface including a touchpanel provided integrally with the display unit 19, and can receive auser operation on the terminal device 12.

The terminal control unit 21 may include a dedicated or general-purposeprocessor. The terminal control unit 21 may control the operation of theentire terminal device 12. For example, the terminal control unit 21 mayperform transmission and reception of information through the terminalcommunication unit 17. The terminal control unit 21 executes (starts)the game application according to a user operation.

The terminal control unit 21 may perform various processing relating tothe game part. Hereinafter, specific description will be provided.

The terminal control unit 21 may acquire information relating to one ormore users from the server device 11 and may store information in theterminal storage unit 18. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 maystore information relating to one or more users including the user ofthe terminal device 12 among a plurality of users. The terminal controlunit 21 may acquire information relating to one or more game parts fromthe server device 11 and may store information in the terminal storageunit 18.

The terminal control unit 21 may determine a game content groupincluding one or more first game contents automatically or according toa user operation. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 may definethe states of one or more first game contents selected automatically oraccording to a user operation among first game contents owned by theuser to “leader” or “support” to update information relating to the userstored in the terminal storage unit 18. The terminal control unit 21 maytransmit information relating to the user after update to the serverdevice 11. In this way, information relating to the user after update isstored in the server device 11 and the terminal device 12, respectively.

The terminal control unit 21 may display a screen for selecting a gamepart on the display unit 19 according to a predetermined user operation,for example. The screen for selecting a game part may be a screen onwhich a graphic user interface capable of detecting a user operation forselecting one game part among one or more game parts is displayed.Hereinafter, the graphic user interface is simply referred to as aninterface. The screen for selecting a game part may be displayed usinginformation relating to one or more game parts stored in the terminalstorage unit 18. The terminal control unit 21 may select one game partamong one or more game parts according to a user operation on the screenfor selecting a game part.

For example, on the screen for selecting a game part shown in FIG. 5 ,two interfaces 22 (22 a and 22 b) capable of detecting user operationsto respectively select the game parts “gp001” and “gp002” may bedisplayed. Preferably, on the screen for selecting a game part,information relating to each game part, for example, the staminaconsumption may be displayed. The terminal control unit 21 may selectthe game part “gp001” if the user operation to the interface 22 acorresponding to the game part “gp001” is detected, for example.

Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 may display a screen forselecting a supporter on the display unit 19. The screen for selecting asupporter may be a screen on which an interface capable of detecting auser operation for selecting one second game content among one or moresecond game contents satisfying the selection possibility condition isdisplayed. Although the second game content is a first game content withthe state defined to “leader” among first game contents owned by usersother than the user of the terminal device 12, the second game contentmay be an arbitrary first game content owned by a different user. Thesecond game content satisfying the selection possibility condition is asecond game content of a different user who satisfies the condition thatthe elapsed time from the last login date and time to the current timeis less than the predetermined value as described above. The screen forselecting a supporter may be displayed using information relating toother users stored in the terminal storage unit 18. The terminal controlunit 21 may select one second game content among one or more second gamecontents according to a user operation on the screen for selecting asupporter. The selected second game content may be used for theexecution of the game part along with the first game content included inthe game content group.

For example, on a screen for selecting a supporter shown in FIG. 6 , twointerfaces 23 (23 a and 23 b) capable of detecting user operations torespectively select a second game content of a user “user002” and asecond game content of a user “user004” may be displayed. Preferably, onthe screen for selecting a supporter, an image of each second gamecontent and a remaining time until the selection possibility conditionis not satisfied may be displayed. The terminal control unit 21 mayselect the second game content of the user “user002” if the useroperation to the interface 23 a corresponding to the second game contentof the user “user002” is detected, for example.

Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 may display a preparationscreen on the display unit 19. The preparation screen is a screen onwhich an interface (first interface) capable of detecting a useroperation (first user operation) for determining the mode of the gamepart is displayed. The terminal control unit 21 may determine the modeof the game part to the normal mode or the practice mode according tothe first user operation to the first interface. Specifically, theterminal control unit 21 may switch the mode of the game part betweenthe normal mode and the practice mode each time the first user operationis detected.

The terminal control unit 21 may change at least a part of thepreparation screen according to the mode of the game part. With such aconfiguration, since the user may easily recognize the mode of the gamepart, the convenience of the game is improved. Hereinafter, specificdescription will be provided.

On the preparation screen according to the embodiment, in addition tothe above-described first interface, an interface (second interface)capable of detecting a user operation (second user operation) forexecuting (starting) the game part in the determined mode andinformation relating to the mode of the game part may be furtherdisplayed. The terminal control unit 21 may change the display form ofat least one of the first interface or the second interface, forexample, a shape, color, an image, text, or the like according to themode of the game part, for example. The terminal control unit 21 maychange information (for example, an explanation of the mode) relating tothe mode of the game part displayed on the preparation screen.

For example, FIG. 7 may show an example of a preparation screen in acase where the mode of the game part is the normal mode. On thepreparation screen shown in FIG. 7 , text, such as “NORMAL MODE,”indicating the mode of the game part may be displayed in a firstinterface 24. In a second interface 25, text “START GAME PART” may bedisplayed. The shape of the second interface 25 may be substantially aquadrangular shape. In an area 26, text “GAME PART IS EXECUTED IN THISTEAM” may be displayed as information relating to the normal mode.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the normal mode, if thefirst user operation to the first interface 24 is detected, the terminalcontrol unit 21 may determine the mode of the game part from the normalmode to the practice mode. If the second user operation to the secondinterface 25 is detected, the terminal control unit 21 may perform theexecution processing of the game part in the normal mode. Specifically,the terminal control unit 21 may read the game part settingcorresponding to the normal mode of the game part from informationrelating to the game part stored in the terminal storage unit 18 and mayexecute the game part based on the game part setting.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, as described above, the stamina consumption may be defined to avalue greater than zero, and the reward information may be defined suchthat any reward can be given. Accordingly, information relating to theuser may be updated. For this reason, the terminal control unit 21updates, for example, information relating to the stamina and the gamecontent in information relating to the user in a case where the gamepart is executed in the normal mode. The terminal control unit 21 maytransmit information relating to the user after update to the serverdevice 11. In other words, in a case where the mode of the game part isthe normal mode, the terminal control unit 21 may update informationrelating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18 and maycommunicate with the server device 11 to update information relating tothe user stored in the server device 11. The terminal control unit 21may communicate with the server device 11 to update information relatingto the user, for example, at the time of the start and the end of thegame part. In such a case, for example, the stamina for the staminaconsumption decreases at the time of the start of the game part. At theend of the game part, for example, a reward for the user is given.

For example, FIG. 8 shows an example of a preparation screen in a casewhere the mode of the game part is the practice mode. On the preparationscreen shown in FIG. 8 , text displayed in the first interface 24 may bechanged to text, such as “PRACTICE MODE,” indicating the mode of thegame part. The text displayed in the second interface 25 may be changedto text such as “START PRACTICE”. The shape of the second interface 25may be changed to an elliptical shape. Text displayed in the area 26 maybe changed to text such as “REWARD AND STAMINA CONSUMPTION BECOME ZEROIN PRACTICE MODE” as information relating to the practice mode.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the practice mode, if thefirst user operation to the first interface 24 is detected, the terminalcontrol unit 21 may determine the mode of the game part from thepractice mode to the normal mode. If the second user operation to thesecond interface 25 is detected, the terminal control unit 21 mayperform the execution processing of the game part in the practice mode.Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 may read the game partsetting corresponding to the practice mode of the game part frominformation relating to the game part stored in the terminal storageunit 18 and may execute the game part based on the game part setting.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to thepractice mode, as described above, the stamina consumption may bedefined to zero, and the reward information may be defined such that noreward is given. Accordingly, unlike a case where the game part isexecuted in the normal mode, information relating to the user does notneed to be updated. Therefore, in a case where the mode of the game partis the practice mode, the terminal control unit 21 may not updateinformation relating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18and may not perform communication for updating information relating tothe user with the server device 11. For this reason, informationrelating to the user stored in the server device 11 may not be updated.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the normal mode, if theplay of the game part is brought into a state of being unable to becontinued during the execution of the game part, the terminal controlunit 21 may end the game part automatically, or may continue the play ofthe game part according to a predetermined user operation in a casewhere the mode of the game part is the normal mode. Specifically, in anexemplary embodiment, the terminal control unit 21 may end the game partautomatically in a case where the game part is defined such thatCONTINUE is impossible, and may execute CONTINUE according to apredetermined user operation and continue the play of the game part inthe case where the game part is defined such that CONTINUE is possible.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to the normalmode, as described above, information relating to the continuation ofthe play is defined such that CONTINUE is impossible or is defined suchthat CONTINUE is possible by consuming some resources. Accordingly, in acase where CONTINUE is executed by consuming resources in the normalmode, information relating to the user needs to be updated. For thisreason, in a case where CONTINUE is executed in the normal mode, theterminal control unit 21 updates information relating to the user suchthat the resources are consumed. The terminal control unit 21 transmitsinformation relating to the user after update to the server device 11.In other words, in a case where the mode of the game part is the normalmode, if CONTINUE is executed, the terminal control unit 21 updates theinformation relating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18and communicates with the server device 11 to update informationrelating to the user stored in the server device 11.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the practice mode, if theplay of the game part is brought into a state of being unable to becontinued during the execution of the game part, the terminal controlunit 21 executes CONTINUE automatically and continues the play of thegame part. With such a configuration, since a user who plays the gamepart in the practice mode does not need to perform a user operation forexecuting CONTINUE, usability of the game is improved.

In this embodiment, in the game part setting corresponding to thepractice mode, as described above, information relating to thecontinuation of the play is defined such that CONTINUE is possiblewithout consuming any resources. Accordingly, unlike a case whereCONTINUE is executed in the normal mode, information relating to theuser does not need to be updated. Therefore, in a case where CONTINUE isexecuted in the practice mode, the terminal control unit 21 does notupdate information relating to the user stored in the terminal storageunit 18 and does not perform communication with the server device 11.For this reason, information relating to the user stored in the serverdevice 11 is not updated.

Next, in the processing relating to the game part which is executed bythe terminal device 12, which may be processing performed before thepreparation screen may be displayed and after the screen for selecting agame part is displayed, may be described referring to the flowchart ofFIG. 9 . It is assumed that information relating to the user andinformation relating to the game part are stored in the terminal device12.

Step S100: First, the terminal control unit 21 displays the screen forselecting a game part on the display unit 19 according to apredetermined user operation, for example.

Step S101: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 selects one gamepart among one or more game parts according to a user operation on thescreen for selecting a game part. Hereinafter, the selected one gamepart is simply referred to as a game part.

Step S102: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 displays thescreen for selecting a supporter on the display unit 19.

Step S103: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 selects one secondgame content among one or more second game contents according to a useroperation on the screen for selecting a supporter.

Step S104: Then, the terminal control unit 21 displays the preparationscreen on the display unit 19.

Subsequently, in the processing relating to the game part which isexecuted by the terminal device 12, processing that may take placebefore the game part is executed, beginning from a state where thepreparation screen is displayed, may be described, referring to theflowchart of FIG. 10 . This processing may be executed after Step S104described above.

Step S200: First, the terminal control unit 21 determines whether or notthe first user operation to the first interface on the preparationscreen is detected. In a case where it is determined that the first useroperation is detected (Step S200—Yes), the process progresses to StepS201. In a case where it is determined that the first user operation isnot detected (Step S200—No), the process progresses to Step S203.

Step S201: In a case where it is determined in Step S200 that the firstuser operation is detected (Step S200—Yes), the terminal control unit 21determines the mode of the game part to the normal mode or the practicemode. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 switches the mode ofthe game part between the normal mode and the practice mode.

Step S202: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 changes at least apart of the preparation screen according to the mode determined in StepS201.

Step S203: After Step S202 or in a case where it is determined in StepS200 that the first user operation is not detected (Step S200—No), theterminal control unit 21 determines whether or not the second useroperation to the second interface on the preparation screen is detected.In a case where it is determined that the second user operation isdetected (Step S203—Yes), the process progresses to Step S204. In a casewhere it is determined that the second user operation is not detected(Step S203—No), the process returns to Step S200.

Step S204: In a case where it is determined in Step S203 that the seconduser operation is detected (Step S203—Yes), the terminal control unit 21performs the execution processing of the game part. Specifically, theterminal control unit 21 reads the game part setting corresponding tomode determined in Step S201 from information relating to the game partstored in the terminal storage unit 18 and executes the game part basedon the game part setting.

In the execution processing of the game part of Step S204, in a casewhere the mode of the game part is the normal mode, as described above,the terminal control unit 21 updates information relating to the userstored in the terminal storage unit 18 and communicates with the serverdevice 11 to update information relating to the user stored in theserver device 11. In a case where the mode of the game part is thepractice mode, the terminal control unit 21 does not update informationrelating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18 and does notperform communication with the server device 11. For this reason,information relating to the user stored in the server device 11 is notupdated.

As described above, the terminal device 12 according to this embodimentdetermines the mode of the game part to the normal mode or the practicemode if the first user operation to the first interface on thepreparation screen is detected and executes the game part in thedetermined mode. With such a configuration, the user can play the gamepart in a desired mode of two different modes when playing the gamepart. For this reason, the convenience of the game is improved comparedto a configuration in which the user cannot freely switch between themodes. The terminal device 12 changes a part of the preparation screenaccording to the mode of the game part. With such a configuration, theuser can easily recognize the mode of the game part on the preparationscreen, and the convenience of the game is further improved.

Preferably, in the preparation screen, the terminal device 12 may changethe display form of the second interface capable of detecting the seconduser operation for executing the game part in the determined modeaccording to the mode of the game part. With such a configuration, sincethe display form of the second interface changes in a manner highlylikely to be noticed by the user who is about to start the game part,certainty that the user recognizes the mode of the game part isimproved.

In the execution processing of the game part, in a case where the modeof the game part is the normal mode, information relating to the userstored in the server device 11 may be updated. In a case where the modeof the game part is the practice mode, information relating to the userstored in the server device 11 may not be updated. With such aconfiguration, even if the game part is executed in the practice mode,for example, the stamina, the user experience value, and the like arenot changed. For this reason, it is possible to allow the user topractice the game part freely, and the convenience of the game isfurther improved.

In the execution processing of the game part, in a case where the modeof the game part is the normal mode, the terminal device 12 maycommunicate with the server device 11. In a case where the mode of thegame part is the practice mode, the terminal device 12 may notcommunicate with the server device 11. In this way, the terminal device12 can execute the game part in the practice mode on the terminal device12 alone, and it is possible to suppress a communication frequency and acommunication amount.

If the game part is brought into a state of being unable to be continuedduring the execution of the game part, in a case where the mode of thegame part is the normal mode, the terminal device 12 may end the gamepart automatically or continue the game part according to the useroperation. In a case where the mode of the game part is the practicemode, the terminal device 12 may continue the game part automatically.With such a configuration, since it is possible to easily executeCONTINUE in the practice mode compared to the normal mode, theconvenience of the game is improved.

Second Embodiment

Next, a game system 10 according to a second embodiment of the inventionwill be described. In the following description, the same configurationsas those in the first embodiment are represented by the same referencenumerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. The game system10 includes a server device 11 and a plurality of terminal devices 12.In summary, the second embodiment is different from the first embodimentin that a game part is used for a competition between users.Hereinafter, specific description will be provided.

In a game according to this embodiment, first, if a first user (a useron offense first) selects a second user among a plurality of users, thesecond user is determined as a competition opponent (a user on offenselast). Subsequently, the user on offense first plays a game part (firstgame part). In the first game part, the user on offense first performs acompetition with an enemy character. Result information of the firstgame part, for example, may include scores that are determined based ona competition result (for example, win/loss) with the enemy character,the time required until the user on offense first defeats the enemycharacter, and the like. For example, if the user on offense firstdefeats the enemy character, scores are high. Similarly, for example,the shorter the time required until the user on offense first defeatsthe enemy character, the higher the scores.

If the play of the first game part of the user on offense first ends,the user on offense last may play a game part (second game part)corresponding to the first game part. Although the second game part maybe, for example, the same game part as the first game part or a gamepart corresponding to the first game part, other exemplary embodimentsmay be envisioned in which the second game part may be a game partcompletely different from the first game part. Similarly to the firstgame part, in the second game part, the user on offense last performs acompetition with the enemy character. Similarly to the first game part,result information of the second game part, for example, scores aredetermined based on a competition result with the enemy character, thetime required until the user on offense last defeats the enemycharacter, and the like.

If the play of the second game part of the user on offense last ends,the result of an asynchronous competition may be determined based on theresult information of the first game part of the user on offense firstand the result information of the second game part of the user onoffense last. Specifically, a user who has higher scores is defined as awinning user, and a user who has lower scores is defined as a losinguser. In this embodiment, the competition between the users is notlimited to the above-described asynchronous competition, and may be, forexample, a synchronous competition in which the users simultaneouslyplay one game part.

Next, each component of the game system 10 according to this embodimentwill be described, primarily focusing on differences from the firstembodiment.

Configuration of Server Device 11

First, the server device 11 will be described. The server device 11 mayinclude a server communication unit 13, a server storage unit 14, and aserver control unit 15. The server communication unit 13, the serverstorage unit 14, and the server control unit 15 may be the same as thosein the first embodiment (see FIG. 1 ).

In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 , informationrelating to a user stored in the server storage unit 14 may includelogin information, a user experience value, a user rank, stamina,information relating to a game content, and a lock flag in associationwith a user ID. The login information, the user experience value, theuser rank, stamina, and information relating to the game content may bethe same as those in the first embodiment.

The lock flag may be a flag indicating whether the state of thecorresponding user is a lock state or a non-lock state. As describedbelow, if a user on offense first and a user on offense last who performa competition are determined, the states of the user on offense firstand the user on offense last may be brought from the non-lock state intothe lock state. If an asynchronous competition ends, the lock states ofthe user on offense first and the user on offense last may be releasedand the user on offense first and the user on offense last may bebrought into the non-lock state. As described below, a user who is inthe lock state may not be able to select a candidate user and start anasynchronous competition and is not selected as a candidate user byother users. That is, in this embodiment, control is performed such thattwo or more asynchronous competitions are not linked to one usersimultaneously. In FIG. 11 , a user with the lock flag of “1” indicatesa user in the lock state, and a user with the lock flag of “0” indicatesa user in the non-lock state.

In this way, since control may be performed such that two or moreasynchronous competitions are not linked to one user simultaneouslyusing the lock flag, for example, many asynchronous competitions may beprevented from being linked to a specific user, and delay or obstructionof game progress may be suppressed. For example, the ratio ofestablishment of an asynchronous competition may be improved compared toa configuration in which many asynchronous competitions are linked to aspecific user. Since the number of asynchronous competitions to beprocessed by the server device 11 in the entire game system 10 issuppressed, a processing load of the server device 11 may be reduced.

In this embodiment, if an acquisition request of information indicatinga candidate user is received from the terminal device 12 of the user onoffense first as described below, the server control unit 15 mayextract, as a candidate user, one or more users in the non-lock stateother than the user on offense first among a plurality of users. Theserver control unit 15 may transmit information indicating one or moreextracted candidate users to the terminal device 12 of the user onoffense first.

Subsequently, if information indicating one user on offense lastselected from among one or more candidate users is received from theterminal device 12 of the user on offense first, the server control unit15 may define the user on offense first and the user on offense last tothe lock state. The server control unit 15 may transmit, to the terminaldevice 12 of the user on offense last, notification that the user isdetermined as the user on offense last, that is, a competition opponentin the terminal device 12 of the user on offense first.

Subsequently, if the end of the asynchronous competition of the user onoffense first and the user on offense last is detected, the servercontrol unit 15 may determine the result (win/loss) of the asynchronouscompetition.

For example, if the result information (for example, scores) of thefirst game part is received from the terminal device 12 of the user onoffense first and the result information (for example, scores) of thesecond game part is received from the terminal device 12 of the user onoffense last, the server control unit 15 may detect the end of theasynchronous competition. In such a case, the server control unit 15 maydefine a user who has higher scores indicated in the result informationamong the user on offense first and the user on offense last as awinning user and defines a user who has lower scores as a losing user.

For example, in a case where the result information of the game part isnot received from at least one of the terminal device 12 of the user onoffense first and the terminal device 12 of the user on offense lastuntil a predetermined time elapses after the user on offense first andthe user on offense last are defined to the lock state, the servercontrol unit 15 may detect the end of the asynchronous competition. Insuch a case, the server control unit 15 may define a user regarding theterminal device 12 transmitting the result information as a winninguser, and may define a user regarding the terminal device 12 nottransmitting the result information as a losing user. Alternatively, ina case where the result of the game part is not received from both ofthe terminal device 12 of the user on offense first and the terminaldevice 12 of the user on offense last, the server control unit 15 maydetermine the result to be a tie.

Configuration of Terminal Device 12

Next, the terminal device 12 will be described. The terminal device 12may include a terminal communication unit 17, a terminal storage unit18, a display unit 19, an input unit 20, and a terminal control unit 21.The terminal communication unit 17, the terminal storage unit 18, thedisplay unit 19, the input unit 20, and the terminal control unit 21 maybe the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1 ).

The terminal control unit 21 may perform different kinds of processingaccording to whether or not the user is the user on offense last.Hereinafter, specific description will be provided.

Processing in Case of being not User on Offense Last

First, processing which may be performed in a case where the user of theterminal device 12 is not the user on offense last (that is, in a casewhere the user is not determined as a competition opponent of theterminal device 12 of a different user) will be described. As in thefirst embodiment, the terminal control unit 21 may display a screen forselecting a game part, a screen for selecting a supporter, and apreparation screen on the display unit 19. The screen for selecting agame part and the screen for selecting a supporter may be the same asthose in the first embodiment.

The terminal control unit 21 may change at least a part of thepreparation screen according to the mode of the game part.

For example, in a case where the mode of the game part is the practicemode, on the preparation screen, a first interface, a second interface,and information relating to the mode of the game part may be displayed.For example, FIG. 12 shows an example of a preparation screen in a casewhere the mode of the game part is the practice mode. On the preparationscreen shown in FIG. 12 , text such as “PRACTICE MODE” indicating themode of the game part may be displayed in a first interface 24. In asecond interface 25, text such as “START PRACTICE” may be displayed. Theshape of the second interface 25 is an elliptical shape. In an area 26,text such as “COMPETITION IS NOT PERFORMED IN PRACTICE MODE” may bedisplayed as information relating to the practice mode.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the normal mode, on thepreparation screen, a first interface, a third interface, andinformation relating to the mode of the game part may be displayed. Thethird interface may be an interface capable of detecting a useroperation (third user operation) for acquiring information indicatingone or more candidate users of a competition opponent. The thirdinterface may be displayed in place of the above-described secondinterface. For example, FIG. 13 shows an example of a preparation screenin a case where the mode of the game part is the normal mode. On thepreparation screen shown in FIG. 13 , text displayed in the firstinterface 24 may be changed to text such as “NORMAL MODE” indicating themode of the game part. In a third interface 27 displayed in place of thesecond interface 25 (see FIG. 12 ), text such as “ACQUIRE COMPETITIONOPPONENT CANDIDATE” may be displayed. The shape of the third interface27 may be substantially a quadrangular shape. In the area 26, text suchas “GAME PART IS EXECUTED IN THIS TEAM” may be displayed as informationrelating to the normal mode.

If the third user operation to the third interface is detected, theterminal control unit 21 may transmit an acquisition request ofinformation indicating a candidate user to the server device 11.Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 may acquire informationindicating one or more candidate users from the server device 11.

Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 may display a screen forselecting a competition opponent on the display unit 19 usinginformation indicating one or more candidate users. The screen forselecting a competition opponent may be a screen on which an interfacecapable of detecting a user operation for selecting one candidate useramong one or more candidate users and determining the selected candidateuser as a competition opponent (user on offense last) is displayed. Ifthe user operation to the interface is detected, the terminal controlunit 21 may determine one candidate user among one or more candidateusers as a competition opponent (user on offense last). The terminalcontrol unit 21 may transmit information indicating the determinedcompetition opponent (user on offense last) to the server device 11. Onthe screen for selecting a competition opponent, a second interface maybe displayed. The second interface may be the same as that in the firstembodiment.

For example, on a screen for selecting a competition opponent shown inFIG. 14 , two interfaces 28 (28 a and 28 b) capable of respectivelyselecting candidate users “user002” and “user003” and the secondinterface 25 may be displayed. For example, if the user operation to theinterface 28 a corresponding to the candidate user “user002” isdetected, the terminal control unit 21 may determine the candidate user“user002” as a competition opponent (user on offense last). The terminalcontrol unit 21 may transmit information indicating the user on offenselast to the server device 11. Subsequently, if the second user operationto the second interface 25 is detected, the terminal control unit 21 mayperform the execution processing of the game part in the determined modeof the game part, in this case, the normal mode.

If the game part ends, the terminal control unit 21 may generate theresult information (for example, scores) of the game part and maytransmit the result information to the server device 11.

The terminal control unit 21 may perform control such that the game partis temporarily non-executable until the asynchronous competition endsafter the competition opponent (user on offense last) is determined(that is, until the lock states of the user on offense first and theuser on offense last are released). Specifically, in a case ofdisplaying a screen for selecting a game part, for example, as shown inFIG. 15 , the terminal control unit 21 may display the interface 22 a onthe screen for selecting a game part in a form (for example, darker thanthe normal state) different from the normal state. The terminal controlunit 21 may inhibit detection of a user operation using the interface 22a. The control for making the game part non-executable is not limited tothe above-described processing, and arbitrary processing is employable.

Processing in Case of being User on Offense Last

Next, processing in a case where the user of the terminal device 12 isthe user on offense last will be described. If notification that theuser of the terminal device is determined as a competition opponent(user on offense last) in the terminal device 12 of a different user(user on offense first) is received from the server device 11, theterminal control unit 21 may determine the different user as thecompetition opponent (user on offense first).

Similarly to the above-described processing in a case of being the useron offense first, the terminal control unit 21 may display the screenfor selecting a game part, the screen for selecting a supporter, and thepreparation screen on the display unit 19. The screen for selecting agame part and the screen for selecting a supporter are the same as thosein the first embodiment.

The terminal control unit 21 may perform control such that the game partin the practice mode is temporarily non-executable until theasynchronous competition ends after the competition opponent (user onoffense first) is determined (that is, until the lock states of the useron offense first and the user on offense last are released). Forexample, when displaying the preparation screen, even in a case wherethe practice mode is stored in the terminal storage unit 18 as the modeof the game part, the terminal control unit 21 may display thepreparation screen corresponding to the normal mode. The terminalcontrol unit 21 may display the first interface on the preparationscreen in a form (for example, darker than the normal state) differentfrom the normal state, for example. The terminal control unit 21 mayinhibit detection of the first user operation using the first interface.With such a configuration, only the user on offense last may beprevented from performing the game part in the practice mode after theasynchronous competition starts. Accordingly, fairness between the useron offense first and the user on offense last is improved.

Next, referring generally to the processing relating to the game partwhich is executed by the terminal device 12 of the user who is not theuser on offense last, the processing that may take place before the gamepart is executed and may begin at a state where the preparation screenis displayed will be described referring to the flowchart of FIG. 16 .This processing may be executed after the same processing as Steps S100to S104 in the first embodiment, for example.

Step S300: First, the terminal control unit 21 determines whether or notthe first user operation to the first interface on the preparationscreen is detected. In a case where it is determined that the first useroperation is detected (Step S300—Yes), the process progresses to StepS301. In a case where it is determined that the first user operation isnot detected (Step S300—No), the process progresses to Step S303.

Step S301: In a case where it is determined in Step S300 that the firstuser operation is detected (Step S300—Yes), the terminal control unit 21determines the mode of the game part to the normal mode or the practicemode. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 switches the mode ofthe game part between the normal mode and the practice mode.

Step S302: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 changes at least apart of the preparation screen according to the mode determined in StepS301.

Step S303: After Step S302 or in a case where it is determined in StepS300 that the first user operation is not detected (Step S300—No), theterminal control unit 21 determines whether or not the second useroperation to the second interface on the preparation screen is detected.In a case where it is determined that the second user operation isdetected (Step S303—Yes), the process progresses to Step S308. In a casewhere it is determined that the second user operation is not detected(Step S303—No), the process progresses to Step S304.

Step S304: In a case where it is determined in Step S303 that the seconduser operation is not detected (Step S303—No), the terminal control unit21 determines whether or not the third user operation to the thirdinterface on the preparation screen is detected. In a case where it isdetermined that the third user operation is detected (Step S304—Yes),the process progresses to Step S305. In a case where it is determinedthat the third user operation is not detected (Step S304--No), theprocess returns to Step 5300.

Step 5305: In a case where it is determined in Step S304 that the thirduser operation is detected (Step S304—Yes), the terminal control unit 21transmits an acquisition request of information indicating a candidateuser to the server device 11 and acquires information indicating one ormore candidate users from the server device 11.

Step S306: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 displays thescreen for selecting a competition opponent on the display unit 19 usinginformation indicating one or more candidate users acquired in StepS305.

Step S307: Subsequently, the terminal control unit 21 determines onecandidate user among one or more candidate users as a competitionopponent (user on offense last) according to a user operation on thescreen for selecting a competition opponent. The terminal control unit21 transmits information indicating the determined competition opponent(user on offense last) to the server device 11.

Step S308: After Step S307 or in a case where it is determined in StepS303 that the second user operation is detected (Step S303—Yes), theterminal control unit 21 performs the execution processing of the gamepart. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 reads the game partsetting corresponding to the mode determined in Step S301 frominformation relating to the game part stored in the terminal storageunit 18 and executes the game part based on the game part setting.

In the execution processing of the game part in Step S308, in a casewhere the mode of the game part is the normal mode, as in the firstembodiment, the terminal control unit 21 updates information relating tothe user stored in the terminal storage unit 18 and communicates withthe server device 11 to update information relating to the user storedin the server device 11. The terminal control unit 21 determines theresult information (for example, scores) of the game part and transmitsthe result information to the server device 11. The transmitted resultinformation is used by the server device 11 in order to determine thecompetition result of the asynchronous competition.

In a case where the mode of the game part is the practice mode, as inthe first embodiment, the terminal control unit 21 may not updateinformation relating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18and may not perform communication with the server device 11. Theasynchronous competition with the competition opponent may not beperformed.

Although the invention has been described based on the drawings or theexamples, it should be noted that various changes and modifications willbe apparent to those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.Therefore, such changes and modifications are to be understood asincluded within the scope of the invention. For example, the functionsand the like included in various means and steps may be reordered in anylogically consistent way, and a plurality of means, steps, or the likemay be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal controlunit 21 may store, in the terminal storage unit 18, first informationindicating one or more first game contents included in a game contentgroup used at the time of the execution of the game part in the practicemode. The terminal control unit 21 updates information relating to theuser stored in the terminal storage unit 18 such that the first gamecontent included in the game content group becomes one or more firstgame contents indicated in the first information according to a useroperation to select the first information when the game part is executedin the normal mode, for example. With such a configuration, the user canread a game content group used when having played the game part in thepractice mode in the past, for example, and the convenience of the gameis further improved.

Preferably, the terminal control unit 21 may store the first informationin the terminal storage unit 18 in a case where the execution result ofthe game part in the practice mode satisfies predetermined conditions.For example, the terminal control unit 21 may determine the resultinformation (for example, scores) of the game part in the practice modeand may store the first information in the terminal storage unit 18 in acase where a condition that the scores exceed a predetermined value (forexample, the previous maximum scores of the game part in the practicemode) is satisfied. With such a configuration, since the firstinformation is stored only in a case where the execution result of thegame part in the practice mode is, for example, satisfactory, theconvenience of the game is further improved.

In the game part, predetermined limit conditions relating to a gamecontent group usable for the play of the game part may be set. Althoughthe limit conditions include, for example, a condition that the totalvalue or average value of costs, levels, or the like of all first gamecontents included in the game content group is less than a predeterminedthreshold value, the limit conditions may include an arbitrary conditionwhich can be determined based on information relating to the first gamecontent. The terminal control unit 21 determines whether or not thelimit conditions of the game part are satisfied based on informationrelating to the first game content included in the game content groupwhen starting the game part in the normal mode, for example. Theterminal control unit 21 may execute the game part in a case where it isdetermined that the limit conditions are satisfied and may inhibit theexecution of the game part in a case where it is determined that thelimit conditions are not satisfied.

In such a configuration, the terminal control unit 21 may store, in theterminal storage unit 18, a plurality of kinds of first information whenthe game part in the practice mode is executed multiple times, forexample. The terminal control unit 21 may display a plurality of kindsof first information on the display unit 19 to be selectablerespectively when the game part is executed in the normal mode, forexample.

The terminal control unit 21 may display, on the display unit 19, onlythe first information satisfying the limit conditions of the game partamong a plurality of kinds of first information. Alternatively, theterminal control unit 21 may perform control such that the firstinformation not satisfying the limit conditions of the game part among aplurality of kinds of first information displayed on the display unit 19is not selectable. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 maydisplay the first information not satisfying the limit conditions in adisplay form (for example, grayout display) different from the normalstate and may stop reception of a user operation to select the firstinformation not satisfying the limit conditions. With such aconfiguration, the user can easily read a game content group satisfyingthe limit conditions of the game part among a plurality of game contentgroups used when having played the game part in the practice mode in thepast, for example, and the convenience of the game is further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the terminal control unit 21 maystore, in the terminal storage unit 18, second information indicating asecond game content used at the time of the execution of the game partin the practice mode. The terminal control unit 21 may give anotification to the user in a case where the second game contentindicated in the second information satisfies the selection possibilityconditions. With such a configuration, for example, in a case where asecond game content used when having played the game part in thepractice mode in the past satisfies the selection possibilityconditions, since the user can recognize this through a notification,the convenience of the game is further improved.

Preferably, in a case where the second information is stored, theterminal control unit 21 displays the second game content indicated inthe second information on the screen for selecting a supporter withpriority. With such a configuration, the user can easily find the secondgame content used in the practice mode in the past on the screen forselecting a supporter, and the convenience of the game is furtherimproved.

Preferably, the terminal control unit 21 may store the secondinformation in the terminal storage unit 18 in a case where theexecution result of the game part in the practice mode satisfiespredetermined conditions. For example, the terminal control unit 21 maydetermine the result information (for example, scores) of the game partin the practice mode and may store the second information in theterminal storage unit 18 in a case where a condition that the scoresexceed a predetermined value (for example, the previous maximum scoresof the game part in the practice mode) is satisfied. With such aconfiguration, since the second information may be stored only in a casewhere the execution result of the game part in the practice mode is, forexample, satisfactory, the convenience of the game is further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, if the game part is executed usingthe second game content, in a case where the mode of the game part isthe normal mode, the terminal control unit 21 of the terminal device 12may update information relating to the user stored in the terminalstorage unit 18 by adding a user ID of a different user who owns thesecond game content and information indicating the execution date andtime of the game part to information relating to the user stored in theterminal storage unit 18. The terminal control unit 21 may transmitinformation relating to the user after an update to the server device11. In this way, information relating to the user stored in the serverstorage unit 14 of the server device 11 is updated.

When transmitting information relating to at least a part of a pluralityof users to the terminal device 12, the server control unit may transmitinformation relating to other users who satisfy the selectionpossibility conditions that the elapsed time from the last login dateand time indicated in the login information to the current time is lessthan the predetermined value and the execution date and time of the gamepart is before the last login date and time among a plurality of usersother than the user of the terminal device 12. As described above, thetransmitted information relating to other users may be used for thedisplay processing of the screen for selecting a supporter, theexecution processing of the game part, and the like in the terminaldevice 12, for example.

In this way, if the game part in the normal mode is executed using thesecond game content, the terminal control unit 21 of the terminal device12 may communicate with the server device 11 to update informationrelating to the user. Until a different user who owns the second gamecontent logs in again, the selection of the second game content isimpossible when starting the game part in the terminal device 12 again.Even if the game part in the practice mode is executed using the secondgame content, the terminal control unit 21 may not update informationrelating to the user stored in the terminal storage unit 18 and may notperform communication for updating information relating to the user withthe server device 11. For this reason, information relating to the userstored in the server device 11 may not be updated.

In the above-described embodiment, a Web display may function to displaya part of various game screens on the terminal device 12 based on datagenerated by the server device 11, and a native display may function todisplay a part (for example, a header area and a footer area where menubuttons are provided) of the game screen with a native applicationinstalled on the terminal device 12. In this way, the game regarding theabove-described embodiment may be a hybrid game in which each of theserver device 11 and the terminal device 12 takes charge of a part ofprocessing.

An information processing device, such as a computer or a mobile phone,can be suitably used to function as the server device 11 or the terminaldevice 12 according to the above-described embodiment. A programcontaining the processing contents for implementing the functions of theserver device 11 or the terminal device 12 according to the embodimentis stored in the storage unit of the information processing device andthe functions are implemented by a CPU of the information processingdevice reading and executing the program.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumcomprising program code that, when executed, causes an informationprocessing device of a user to perform steps of: retrieving, from aserver device communicatively coupled with the information processingdevice, and storing, in a storing step, on the information processingdevice, information relating to a game part to be played by the user;displaying, in a displaying step, on a display of the informationprocessing device, a screen including a first interface configured todetect a first user operation; determining, in a determination step,when the first user operation is detected, a mode of the game part, themode of the game part consisting of one of a first mode or a secondmode; changing, in a change step, on the display of the informationprocessing device, a part of the screen according to the mode of thegame part, the part of the screen according to the mode of the game partcomprising an interface element displaying a game mode and an interfaceelement controlling initiation of the game mode, and maintaining, as apersistent displayed portion, a part of the screen common to the firstmode and the second mode, the part of the screen common to the firstmode and the second mode comprising at least one game content; after thechange step, on the information processing device, transitioning fromthe screen including the first interface to a screen of an executionstep, and executing, in the execution step, the game part in the mode ofthe game part; when the mode of the game part is the first mode, afterthe game part is executed in the mode of the game part, communicating,to the server device communicatively coupled with the informationprocessing device, an update to predetermined information associatedwith the user; and when the mode of the game part is the second mode,after the game part is executed in the mode of the game part, notcommunicating, to the server device communicatively coupled with theinformation processing device, the update to predetermined informationassociated with the user.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 1, wherein executing, in the executionstep, the game part in the mode of the game part further comprises:determining that the game part is in a state of being unable to becontinued; and following determination that the game part is in a stateof being unable to be continued, terminating execution of the game part.3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 2, wherein a step of terminating execution of the game partfurther comprises automatically ending the game part.
 4. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2,wherein a step of determining that the game part is in the state ofbeing unable to be continued further comprises determining that apredetermined user operation has not been received.
 5. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1,wherein executing, in the execution step, the game part in the mode ofthe game part further comprises: providing, on a display of theinformation processing device, a prompt to provide a predetermined useroperation; determining that the game is not in a state of being unableto be continued when the predetermined user operation is received; anddetermining that the game is in the state of being unable to becontinued when the predetermined user operation is not received.
 6. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 5,wherein determining that the game is not in the state of being unable tobe continued when the predetermined user operation is received furthercomprises: deducting at least one game resource of the user from storedinformation associated with the user.
 7. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, whereinexecuting, in the execution step, the game part in the mode of the gamepart further comprises: when the mode of the game part is the firstmode, performing at least one of: automatically ending the game part,and providing, on a display of the information processing device, aprompt to provide a predetermined user operation to continue gameplay;and when the mode of the game part is the second mode, automaticallyexecuting an operation to continue gameplay upon determination that thegame part is in a state of being unable to be continued.
 8. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1,wherein executing, in the execution step, the game part in the mode ofthe game part further comprises: when the mode of the game part is thefirst mode and executing the game part comprises deducting at least onegame resource of the user from stored information associated with theuser; and when the mode of the game part is the second mode, continuinggameplay without deducting the at least one game resource of the userfrom stored information associated with the user.
 9. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein, when themode of the game part is the first mode, the information processingdevice of the user is configured to perform steps of: during theexecution step, setting a lock flag for the user; and following theexecution step, removing the lock flag from the user.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 9,wherein the update to predetermined information associated with the usercomprises a step of removing the lock flag from the user.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 9,wherein the information processing device of the user is furtherconfigured to perform a step of: when the lock flag is set for the user,imposing a restriction preventing the user from starting a further gamein the first mode; and when the lock flag is removed from the user,removing the restriction.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 9, wherein the information processingdevice of the user is further configured to perform a step of: when thelock flag is set for the user, imposing a restriction preventing theuser from starting a further game in the second mode; and when the lockflag is removed from the user, removing the restriction.
 13. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 12,wherein the information processing device of the user is furtherconfigured to perform steps of: displaying, in a second displaying step,on the display of the information processing device, the screenincluding the first interface; and in the second displaying step,inhibiting selection of the second mode via the first interface.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 12,wherein the game is an asynchronous competition, and wherein theinformation processing device of the user is further configured toperform steps of: making a determination of whether the user isscheduled to be first to act in the asynchronous competition or whetherthe user is scheduled to act after another player; and imposing therestriction based on the determination
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein theinformation processing device is further configured to perform a stepof: in the case when the mode of the game part is the second mode, afterthe game part is executed in the mode of the game part, calculating ascore of the user, and determining whether the score of the user ishigher than a high score of the user for the second mode; and wherein astep of not communicating the update to the predetermined informationassociated with the user is provided after determining that the score ofthe user is not higher than the high score of the user for the secondmode.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium accordingto claim 1, wherein the information processing device is furtherconfigured to perform a step of: determining, in a reward determinationstep, based on the mode of the game part, whether the user is eligiblefor a reward, wherein the reward determination step comprises: when themode of the game part is the first game mode, determining that the useris in a reward-eligible mode and evaluating one or more criteria todetermine the reward, and when the mode of the game part is the secondgame mode, determining that the user is not in the reward-eligible mode;and wherein the update to predetermined information associated with theuser comprises addition of the reward to the predetermined informationassociated with the user.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 1, wherein executing the first mode isinitiated by deducting at least one game resource of the user fromstored information associated with the user.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein, whenthe mode of the game part is the first mode, additionally communicating,to the server device communicatively coupled with the informationprocessing device, before the game part is executed in the mode of thegame part, a second update to predetermined information associated withthe user comprising a change to the at least one game resource of theuser.
 19. An information processing device comprising: a storage unit; adisplay unit; a control unit; and a data connection to a server device;wherein the control unit is configured to: retrieve, from the dataconnection to the server device, and store, in the storage unit,information relating to a game part to be played by a user; display, onthe display unit, a screen including a first interface configured todetect a first user operation; determine, when the first user operationis detected, a mode of the game part, the mode of the game partconsisting of one of a first mode or a second mode; change, on thedisplay unit, a part of the screen according to the mode of the gamepart, the part of the screen according to the mode of the game partcomprising an interface element displaying a game mode and an interfaceelement controlling initiation of the game mode; maintain, as apersistent displayed portion, a part of the screen common to the firstmode and the second mode, the part of the screen common to the firstmode and the second mode comprising at least one game content; afterchanging the part of the screen according to the mode of the game part,transition from the screen including the first interface to a screen ofan execution step, and execute, in the execution step, the game part inthe mode of the game part; when the mode of the game part is the firstmode, after the game part is executed in the mode of the game part,communicate, to the server device via the data connection, an update topredetermined information associated with the user; and when the mode ofthe game part is the second mode, after the game part is executed in themode of the game part, not communicating, via the data connection, theupdate to predetermined information associated with the user.
 20. Acontrol method of a game which is configured to be executed by aninformation processing device of a user, the control method comprising:retrieving, from a server device communicatively coupled with theinformation processing device, and storing, in a storing step, on theinformation processing device, information relating to a game part to beplayed by the user; displaying, in a displaying step, on a display ofthe information processing device, a screen including a first interfaceconfigured to detect a first user operation; determining, in adetermination step, when the first user operation is detected, a mode ofthe game part, the mode of the game part consisting of one of a firstmode or a second mode; changing, in a change step, on the display of theinformation processing device, a part of the screen according to themode of the game part, the part of the screen according to the mode ofthe game part comprising an interface element displaying a game mode andan interface element controlling initiation of the game mode, andmaintaining, as a persistent displayed portion, a part of the screencommon to the first mode and the second mode, the part of the screencommon to the first mode and the second mode comprising at least onegame content; after the change step, on the information processingdevice, transitioning from the screen including the first interface to ascreen of an execution step, and executing, in the execution step, thegame part in the mode of the game part; when the mode of the game partis the first mode, after the game part is executed in the mode of thegame part, communicating, to the server device communicatively coupledwith the information processing device, an update to predeterminedinformation associated with the user; and when the mode of the game partis the second mode, after the game part is executed in the mode of thegame part, not communicating, to the server device communicativelycoupled with the information processing device, the update topredetermined information associated with the user.